UK iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus Thread

[hbman122]

Hey guys, long time creeper of this thread I want a 6S Plus and was planning on getting one from GiffGaff and putting a 3 Sim Only in it, but GiffGaff stock is very spotty, especially on the Plus and you can't set email notifications for new stock or anything. So think I might just bite the bullet and buy one from mobiles.co.uk as they have better deals than going straight through the carriers.

I can't decide which network to choose though. Im currently using Giffgaff which is O2, but tbh I've found their signal coverage somewhat average, although I've heard the least bad stories about them, compared to EE and Vodafone. Theres also the new ID network from CPW that uses the 3 Network but you don't get anywhere near as much data for your money. Any advice on networks?

 

[hobsgrg]

Hey guys, long time creeper of this thread I want a 6S Plus and was planning on getting one from GiffGaff and putting a 3 Sim Only in it, but GiffGaff stock is very spotty, especially on the Plus and you can't set email notifications for new stock or anything. So think I might just bite the bullet and buy one from mobiles.co.uk as they have better deals than going straight through the carriers.

I can't decide which network to choose though. Im currently using Giffgaff which is O2, but tbh I've found their signal coverage somewhat average, although I've heard the least bad stories about them, compared to EE and Vodafone. Theres also the new ID network from CPW that uses the 3 Network but you don't get anywhere near as much data for your money. Any advice on networks?

Honestly nobody can give you good advice when it comes to networks because where you live is vitally important. A network that performs great where I live might be rubbish where you live. You this Ofcom signal checker to see which networks have the best coverage where you live and the places you are most likely to visit.

http://www.ofcom.org.uk/mobile-coverage

All networks have their good and bad points, and your usage will be important as to which network is best for you as well.

 

[Holte139]

Right, I've finally lost patience. I've cancelled my Apple order and gone with John Lewis for collection on Tuesday. I'm on Three so I can get it unlocked easily!

 

[d123]

Have now hit 20% have put in to low power mode. Not bad for 11.5 hours of moderate use.

We must have different ideas of "moderate use"...

 

[spinstorm]

Someone should check with Apple support directly about the whole "locked to first sim card message"

It doesn't make sense to me. The phone is unlocked. Why would it lock to the first SIM card? If it does indeed do that (and I haven't seen anyone who this has actually happened to on these forums which makes me even more suspicious) then why would 3 be able to unlock it? or any other network that it becomes locked to? after all it seems that it won't be on the network IMEI list so they can't request an unlock.

Which would mean it is an iPhone locked to a network without that network knowing or being able to do anything about it which also strikes me as strange.

 

[Adam552]

Someone should check with Apple support directly about the whole "locked to first sim card message"

It doesn't make sense to me. The phone is unlocked. Why would it lock to the first SIM card? If it does indeed do that (and I haven't seen anyone who this has actually happened to on these forums which makes me even more suspicious) then why would 3 be able to unlock it? or any other network that it becomes locked to? after all it seems that it won't be on the network IMEI list so they can't request an unlock.

Which would mean it is an iPhone locked to a network without that network knowing or being able to do anything about it which also strikes me as strange.

Has anyone actually tried putting another SIM card in and seeing if it works even though the iPhone gives the lock message when you set it up?

 

[runebinder]

I think personally that the jump from a 5/S to a 6S+ is too big.

I went from a 5S to a 6+ on launch day last year, but had to return the Plus for a 6 within the 2 week period as I just couldn't get on with the size.

This year, I've gone from my 6 to a 6S+ and I love it and the size difference is nowhere near as noticeable as it was 12 months ago.

Really depends on the person, for you that is true but for me it's not. I've upgraded from the 5s to the 6s plus and loving the extra screen size. I'm very glad I didn't opt for the 6s.

 

[d123]

Someone should check with Apple support directly about the whole "locked to first sim card message"

It doesn't make sense to me. The phone is unlocked. Why would it lock to the first SIM card? If it does indeed do that (and I haven't seen anyone who this has actually happened to on these forums which makes me even more suspicious) then why would 3 be able to unlock it? or any other network that it becomes locked to? after all it seems that it won't be on the network IMEI list so they can't request an unlock.

Which would mean it is an iPhone locked to a network without that network knowing or being able to do anything about it which also strikes me as strange.

It happens, and I've seen it, you can be as suspicious as you like, why not go buy one and try it to satisfy your curiosity?

CPW say:

iPhone is unlocked when you buy it SIM free but Apple's software means it locks to the first network you use it with. To find out about a particular model or using your phone abroad, ask in store or give us a call on 0870 087 0870.

http://selfhelp.carphonewarehouse.com/SelfHelp/request.do?view()=c{ede583e0-1fa9-11df-4872-f20203001e3d}

They also say:

iPhone will lock itself to the network of the first SIM card that is used in the phone. Subsequently attempting to use it on any other network, for example by replacing the SIM card, may mean it becomes permanently

http://www.carphonewarehouse.com/apple/iphone-6s

Only the network it is locked to can request the unlock, this is problematical with some networks like o2 and Vodafone who want to see the IMEI that they sold (it can still be done, but can be difficult), Three are more relaxed and as long as they see the IMEI has been used on the network will process the request.

Has anyone actually tried putting another SIM card in and seeing if it works even though the iPhone gives the lock message when you set it up?

They are locked, they even have a special "CPW" flag on the lock status. I've had a number of them unlocked for people, the worst was a guy that bought 2 and took them to Ghana before activating, they had to be flown back to the UK and a refund demanded as they had tried to activate with a Ghana sim and wouldn't accept any sim after that (he had bought them instore and hadn't been warned about the lock).

 

[spinstorm]

It happens, and I've seen it, you can be as suspicious as you like, why not go buy one and try it to satisfy your curiosity?

CPW say:

http://selfhelp.carphonewarehouse.com/SelfHelp/request.do?view()=c{ede583e0-1fa9-11df-4872-f20203001e3d}

They also say:

http://www.carphonewarehouse.com/apple/iphone-6s

Only the network it is locked to can request the unlock, this is problematical with some networks like o2 and Vodafone who want to see the IMEI that they sold (it can still be done, but can be difficult), Three are more relaxed and as long as they see the IMEI has been used on the network will process the request.

It is extremely strange behaviour. Also what if you were to swap the phone (warranty exchange) at Apple for any reason? would you be getting a new unlocked phone from Apple? or a phone locked to the network you last used?

 

[spinstorm]

I have this irrational desire for a copper iPhone 6s plus....

Do you guys remember the gold/blue dress thing from earlier in the year?

This rose gold iPhone is that whole thing again. To some it is pink, to some it is copper to some it is everything in between.

 

[James6s]

I have a 6s coming from John Lewis, so when I put in my O2 SIM it will lock to that network. Does this mean that it will be permanently locked to O2 and it won't be possible to ever unlock it?

 

[Treble]

I have a 6s coming from John Lewis, so when I put in my O2 SIM it will lock to that network. Does this mean that it will be permanently locked to O2 and it won't be possible to ever unlock it?

Yes but possibly no,nobody knows yet I know people who used a 3 sim but they wouldn't unlock as not on there database and cpw wouldn't unlock it could turn out to be a pain in the Arse

 

[James6s]

It is extremely strange behaviour. Also what if you were to swap the phone (warranty exchange) at Apple for any reason? would you be getting a new unlocked phone from Apple? or a phone locked to the network you last used?

Interesting question! I wonder how that would work??

 

[James6s]

Yes but possibly no

This is possibly something I need to find out for definite before I insert my SIM card.

 

[Treble]

This is possibly something I need to find out for definite before I insert my SIM card.

They won't know jl won't have a clue what your talking about if it does lock box it back up get a refund

 

[hbman122]

Honestly nobody can give you good advice when it comes to networks because where you live is vitally important. A network that performs great where I live might be rubbish where you live. You this Ofcom signal checker to see which networks have the best coverage where you live and the places you are most likely to visit.

http://www.ofcom.org.uk/mobile-coverage

All networks have their good and bad points, and your usage will be important as to which network is best for you as well.

I've got great coverage with all the networks so it's really just a matter of price and network perks. O2 is cheaper in the long run but EE has double speed 4G, and I'd say I'd want at least 4-5GB to be safe. Kinda wanna know if EE's 4G is really THAT must faster than the other networks

 

[BadMelonFarmer]

Interesting question! I wonder how that would work??

I had this situation a while back, the replacement phone is basically the same as the one you hand back.

I had an T-Mobile phone (iPhone 5) that I had officially unlocked by T-Mobile and it developed a fault, I was concerned that the replacement would be locked... But was assured it would be that same state as the one I returned... Which it was, I am pleased to say.

 

[d123]

It is extremely strange behaviour. Also what if you were to swap the phone (warranty exchange) at Apple for any reason? would you be getting a new unlocked phone from Apple? or a phone locked to the network you last used?

Apple have always supplied like for like when doing a warranty replacement. So if you hand in a locked phone you will always get a locked phone back, hand in an unlocked phone and get an unlocked phone back, Apples database controls that.

The simplest way to describe the CPW phones is that they are unlocked until you put a sim in, once you do that it is the same as having a locked phone from the network that your sim you inserted was from.

 

[BadMelonFarmer]

I've got great coverage with all the networks so it's really just a matter of price and network perks. O2 is cheaper in the long run but EE has double speed 4G, and I'd say I'd want at least 4-5GB to be safe. Kinda wanna know if EE's 4G is really THAT must faster than the other networks

Again, depends on where you are.

At my house EE 4G was slower than 3 3G until they doubled the speed on my mast.... Now it is much faster.

 

[Mr.C]

It is extremely strange behaviour. Also what if you were to swap the phone (warranty exchange) at Apple for any reason? would you be getting a new unlocked phone from Apple? or a phone locked to the network you last used?

In all likely hood Apple would give you another phone locked to the same network.

 

[d123]

Yes but possibly no,nobody knows yet I know people who used a 3 sim but they wouldn't unlock as not on there database and cpw wouldn't unlock it could turn out to be a pain in the Arse

Tens (maybe even hundreds) of people were getting Three to unlock their phones when the 5S came out and CPW was the only place with stock after the launch, there is a long thread over on AV Forums that discussed it at the time.

As long as the phone is used on Three before making the request they will process the unlock, you need to use it enough to actually associate the IMEI with your simcard before requesting.

I have a 6s coming from John Lewis, so when I put in my O2 SIM it will lock to that network. Does this mean that it will be permanently locked to O2 and it won't be possible to ever unlock it?

Yes, it will lock to o2, o2 will unlock it eventually, but they don't unlock iPhones at launch, it's normally 6 or 7 months before they will accept requests to unlock, again, as long as you have been using the phone before you request the unlock they should process for you. They can be a little less helpful than Three when it comes to asking though, it might take a few requests before getting it done and they might charge you to do it.

 

[James6s]

John Lewis policy on returns states that any unwanted items must be unused in a resalable condition in all original packaging, if I open the phone then they might not accept it back?

 

[Jinjin]

Well, i think I've decided to return the 6S Plus. I just can't get on with it, its too big, too cumbersome. Going to get a 6S in Gold instead i think.

Apple says 1-2 weeks for delivery at the moment, anyone reckon if thats likely to be faster?

Done the same. I'm packing the 6s+ back up today. I reserved and picked up a 6s in store Saturday morning (64gb sg).

 

[Bentron]

Really depends on the person, for you that is true but for me it's not. I've upgraded from the 5s to the 6s plus and loving the extra screen size. I'm very glad I didn't opt for the 6s.

I'm exactly the same. Just picked up my now old 5s, no idea how I got by with that screen size!!

 

[d123]

John Lewis policy on returns states that any unwanted items must be unused in a resalable condition in all original packaging, if I open the phone then they might not accept it back?

You might have a problem, it's not as if it's a fault you could return it for as they give the warning on their page.

Please note:
iPhone will lock itself to the network of the first SIM card that is used in the phone. Subsequently attempting to use it on any other network, for example by replacing the SIM card, may mean it becomes permanently unusable. SIM free iPhones can only be used with a UK-network SIM card, and will not accept foreign SIM cards.

If you intend staying on o2 for at least 6 months then it might be worth the risk, and getting it unlocked once o2 start doing it. At worst it will cost you £15 and should be free if you have a contract with them.